Where to party in Chula Vista

Let our Hit List guide your nighttime activities

Recently, a good friend asked me which bars and clubs are cool places to hang in Chula Vista. Despite being from “The Chul,” as no one but me calls it, I was at a loss for good ideas. I moved to Tijuana as a tween, so I spent my youth sneaking into the bars down there, and once I was of legal partying age, I stayed close to the North Park scene. It’s only recently that I’ve made my way to Chula Vista to see what’s going on in da clubs.

One cool place that’s poppin’ in The Chul is Posh Bar (683 Broadway). The nightclub / lounge keeps it local and offers the area, which is prone to sports bars and neighborhood dives, somewhere classy to party. No sneakers, Chargers jerseys or flip-flops are allowed, which anyone from Chula Vista knows seems unimaginable. Local DJs spin everything from party rock and top-40 club jams to R&B and hip-hop. Iron your nice, collared shirt and head there for a good time.

If you’re like most Chula Vistans and refuse to remove your jeans and sneakers, check out Wild Woolly’s (247 Broadway). The neighborhood sports bar turns into a club when the sun goes down. It’s a favorite among locals for its chill atmosphere. That is, unless there’s a UFC event on. Then things get a bit rowdy. I’ve warned you.

A staple of the South Bay bar scene for years now is Club Caribe (5080 Bonita Road in Bonita). The nightclub hosts tropical nights every Saturday, when you can shake your butt to salsa and merengue in one room, then drop it low to hiphop, reggaeton and top-40 in another room. It’s one of those places you think sounds awful but is actually kind of amazing. A healthy sense of irony might also come in handy.

You might think The Chul has nothing to offer, but I dare anyone to try a night out. You might be surprised.